Building up the home

[She]

<P><FONT size=3>What am i going to do ? I am not the most handiest person. Well thats a lie really. Im pretty darn handy. I can fix toilets and light my boiler and screw almost anythings thats fallen apart. Hey I fix my own bike. Thats not the problem ....this seems over whelming to build the home. I have friends who are helping me but thats really verbal help. Can someone point me to a very EASY way to build up that wont take me a year to do? LOL. I rather buy things from a thift shop and work my self that way in building a micro home. Anybody done that ot point me in that direction? Heck havent got the van yet and I panic LOL.</FONT></P>

 

[She]

<P><FONT size=3>Oh yes Im actually going to be in the town(or next over)where I work. I already cased the place...didnt know about the parks bathroom and such. I guess when your not looking you dont see these things.</FONT></P>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Sounds like you have your heart set on a van.&nbsp; Don't make things to overwelmiing for yourself.&nbsp; My family-well, when it was a family-of four, 2 adults, 2 kids, spent 3 to 5 weeks in the winter in NM and AZ and Co when it wasn't to cold usually in a large family van. When it was warm enough we would bring out tents. No cell phones, internet, solar panels, cool websites that tell you where to camp for free. We used a cheap porti potty, did stay in motels every 5 or 6 days to clean up and get our fair share of worthless TV.&nbsp; Worse part was the very long nights without TV and computors and only camplights to read by and play cards and games with the kids.&nbsp; I do hope to have solar etc but will just adjust to what I have when I am ready to make my break, and no I am not doing this full time yet so my advice may be just a grain of salt.<BR>I suppose if you have a job, which you do&nbsp;and need stealth then thats another matter.<BR>Open your ideas to a cheap trailer, truck with a camper on it and so forth.&nbsp; One of the new members, can't find his postings at this time has an egg camper I would die for.&nbsp; He was very realistic and said sometimes he wishes he had something else, nothing will (probably) suit everyone all the time. Try to get rid of debt.&nbsp; <BR>My 2 cents worth.<BR>

 

[She]

<FONT size=3>Those egg campers are adorable and so practical but I'm afraid too noticeable around here.&nbsp;Those&nbsp; kind of campers are not allowed to be parked in public spots at night here(nor are RVs). Vans are allowed hence why I want one. I saw a great site after I wrote this thread&nbsp;for making such simple furniture</FONT><br><FONT size=3>&nbsp;<A href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-easy-low-waste-platform-bed/" target=_blank>http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-easy-low-waste-platform-bed/</A></FONT><br><FONT size=3>Also storage room are on another page with the same person. Very cheap to make&nbsp;but not cheap stuff if you buy good quality wood. Plan to shellac everything. I think I like this cause its simple. Simple I need!!! LOL</FONT><br><FONT size=3>I like what you said about worthless TV I don't watch TV at all. Been about 2 years now but I do like the comp. I remember all I did with the remote was press buttons all night. What kind of life is that? BOREY!!</FONT><br><FONT size=3>Debt I am working on. In 2 years time I will be done with CCs. Never to want to see one again. Right now I have cell and comp contracts but will be getting rid of the comp contract soon.&nbsp; I know you said your not doing this full time but what dwelling are using now if I may ask?</FONT><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b>She,&nbsp; if you click the little link at the bottom it will take you to my blog, it has a little about where I live and pics of the little house. I am going to rent out the big house-which isn't really big, just a 2 bedroom in the country. I live in a beautiful little place.&nbsp; </b><br><b>Dragonfly</b><br>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>A friend of mine&nbsp;basically outfitted her van at <B><A href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/" target=_blank target=_blank>Ikea</A></B>.&nbsp; measured and&nbsp;bought a bed, desk, dresser, etc at Ikea and fastened them to the walls of her van.&nbsp; It was really functional, and pretty cute.&nbsp; She didn't run out and buy everything at once but built a list according to her measurements and made the purchases and installed them as she had the $$$.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>If I end up with a cargo van, I'll do pretty much the same thing, since I don't have what it takes to do any real building any more.&nbsp;</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>A bed frame like this can easily be built up to fit over wheel wells and to make room for storage underneath.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3><IMG style="WIDTH: 261px; HEIGHT: 327px" id=productImg border=0 alt='FJELLSE Bed frame, pine Length: 77 1/2 " Width: 55 7/8 " Footboard height: 13 " Headboard height: 31 1/2 " Mattress length: 74 3/8 " Mattress width: 53 1/8 " Length: 197 cm Width: 142 cm Footboard height: 33 cm Headboard height: 80 cm Mattress length: 189 cm Mattress width: 135 cm ' src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/fjellse-bed-frame__0107488_PE257170_S4.JPG" width=311 height=366></FONT><BR><FONT size=3>$49.00 for a full-size</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>I'd be looking in thrift stores, before I bought from Ikea or anyplace, else.</FONT><BR>

 

[She]

<b>She,&nbsp; if you click the little link at the bottom it will take you to my blog, it has a little about where I live and pics of the little house. I am going to rent out the big house-which isn't really big, just a 2 bedroom in the country. I live in a beautiful little place.&nbsp; </b><br><b>Dragonfly</b><br>

<div>Checked it out. You have a project! It looks like its coming along well. I love your dachshunds ...the pic of them with such a loving expression...adorable.&nbsp;</div>

 

[rvwandering]

I really like how Triumph (member of the forum) has done his van. Click on the flicker link in his post.&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="https://vanlivingforum.com/post?id=5438754">https://vanlivingforum.com/post?id=5438754</a><br>

 

[She]

It looks really nice. Simple but clean. Its a little more manly than I want but simple what I like. Thanks for showing that!!&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Seraphim]

<P><FONT size=3>She<BR><BR>Decide on the van size or get van first: there are inexpensive and easy construction techniques, but you have to know a) what you have to work with, and b) a plan to meet your needs. <BR><BR>Give us some idea of the vehicle you're looking at, etc, and there are plenty of creative people here who can help you come up with a plan, and advise you how to DIY. You don't need to be a carpenter. We'll even have you install plumbing lol.<BR><BR>Chill. You're just in the planning stage.</FONT></P><P><BR><FONT size=3>On out first van build-up, we overpadded the carpet and slept on the floor. How simple can you get? lol</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;</P><P><FONT size=3>A futon can be folded up and double as a sofa, and really doesn't need a frame... there are so many options.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>A 3G iPad rather than a computer. </FONT></P><P><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;</P><P><FONT size=3>We don't live full time in our RV yet, but travel extensively in our camper van. The key to living in a small space (especially with two people)&nbsp;is organization&nbsp; (and storage nooks)- keep that in mind when you design your floorplan.</FONT></P><BR><FONT size=3>&nbsp;<BR><BR><BR></FONT><BR><BR><BR>

 

[wishingriver]

your like me in the planning stage. My plan is to get a box truck with a hole for me to get from the cab to the back the main reason I'm doing that is stealth for solar on top (no one can see on top of it from ground lol) plus during summer months I will have my 2 kids so I need to stay stealth during winter months but go dispersed camping in the summer. there ain't no way I'm gonna go to Ikea for furniture because I would rather build it myself so that way if I dont like I can trash it or adjust it the way I want it my only problem is getting the dish up there for stealth b/c I cant go without internet but I'm thinking of getting the small upside down bowls for satelite (it looks like a gps tracker and router for a semi truck) that works for rvs lol but gotta pay top dollar which I'm not looking forward for.<br>

 

[Seraphim]

Wishingriver

Consider an HD antenna if you're not a big TV watcher. Sprint also sells a Sierra 3G/4g wireless Hotspot (currently $49 with contract) and a $45 month unlimited data package - serves 5 to 8 devices. We don't have a tv in our unit. The wifi does everything we want. We do have an HD antenna for the laptop, which generally gives us a couple of local channels.

 

[She]

your like me in the planning stage. My plan is to get a box truck with a hole for me to get from the cab to the back the main reason I'm doing that is stealth for solar on top (no one can see on top of it from ground lol) plus during summer months I will have my 2 kids so I need to stay stealth during winter months but go dispersed camping in the summer. there ain't no way I'm gonna go to Ikea for furniture because I would rather build it myself so that way if I dont like I can trash it or adjust it the way I want it my only problem is getting the dish up there for stealth b/c I cant go without internet but I'm thinking of getting the small upside down bowls for satelite (it looks like a gps tracker and router for a semi truck) that works for rvs lol but gotta pay top dollar which I'm not looking forward for.<br>

<div><br></div><div>I agree with you about IKEA . They don't look like the strongest either. I figure I can make the bed frame cheaper and the size I need and stronger. I will be staying put where I am for a couple of years. MONEY!!!!! Yes I need a bit. So I think I can get away with wifi for now. But the bowls sound interesting...how much?</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

First you have to have the van before looking for furniture. I made that mistake and bought a wooden table too large I ended up donating it to charity. Thankfully, it was only 10 dollars.&nbsp;<div>Once you have the vehicle, you can begin planning out the layout. There's plenty of resources here available to you and you still have plenty of time. So no worries. Keep things simple and try not to buy too much stuff or whatnot.</div><div>I paid for my van cash so I really am excited to move into my first fully paid home (no mortgage, etc... ). EXCITED!</div>